U.S. patent number 8,533,998 [Application Number 12/833,338] was granted by the patent office on 2013-09-17 for apparatus for controlling opening-and-closing member for vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha. The grantee listed for this patent is Noriyuki Kamiya, Takeshi Nishikibe. Invention is credited to Noriyuki Kamiya, Takeshi Nishikibe.
United States Patent |
8,533,998 |
Nishikibe , et al. |
September 17, 2013 |
Apparatus for controlling opening-and-closing member for
vehicle
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling an opening-and-closing member for a
vehicle includes: a latch mechanism; a driving lever; a neutral
position detecting portion detecting that the driving lever is in a
predetermined neutral position; and a controlling portion
performing a close movement, a release movement, and a returning
movement after the close movement or the release movement, the
controlling portion including a stress relaxing portion executing a
driving of the driving lever in a reverse direction toward the
neutral position after the close movement in a case of a detection
failure, a prohibiting portion executing a prohibition of the
driving of the driving lever after the driving of the driving lever
in the reverse direction, and a cancelling portion cancelling the
prohibition of the driving of the driving lever in a case where the
number of times of the detection failures is less than a
predetermined plural number of times.
Inventors: |
Nishikibe; Takeshi (Anjo,
JP), Kamiya; Noriyuki (Chita-gun, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nishikibe; Takeshi
Kamiya; Noriyuki |
Anjo
Chita-gun |
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
(Kariya-Shi, Aichi-Ken, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
43496069 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/833,338 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110016794 A1 |
Jan 27, 2011 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 24, 2009 [JP] |
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2009-173293 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
49/280 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
81/14 (20130101); E05B 81/20 (20130101); E05B
81/68 (20130101); E05B 81/66 (20130101); E05B
79/20 (20130101); E05B 83/40 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
5/04 (20060101); E05F 11/54 (20060101); E05F
15/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;49/279,280,360 ;296/155
;292/201,216 ;318/264-266,272,277,282,286,466-469 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2002-250163 |
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Sep 2002 |
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JP |
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2002-250163 |
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Sep 2002 |
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JP |
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2006-009485 |
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Jan 2006 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
Office Action issued on Apr. 30, 2013 by Japan Patent Office in
corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-173293, and
English translation thereof. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Mitchell; Katherine
Assistant Examiner: Rephann; Justin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
PC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An apparatus for controlling an opening-and-closing member for a
vehicle comprising: a latch mechanism; a driving lever configured
to be interlocked with the latch mechanism; a neutral position
detecting element detecting that the driving lever is in a
predetermined neutral position for releasing the latch mechanism;
and a controller performing a close movement, in which the driving
lever is driven in one direction from the neutral position so as to
hold the opening-and-closing member by means of the latch
mechanism, a release movement, in which the driving lever is driven
in an opposite direction from the neutral position in response to a
detection of a request for a movement of the opening-and-closing
member so as to release the holding of the opening-and-closing
member by means of the latch mechanism, and a returning movement,
in which the driving lever is driven toward the neutral position so
as to return the driving lever to the neutral position after the
close movement or the release movement, the controller including: a
stress relaxing portion executing a driving of the driving lever in
the opposite direction toward the neutral position for a
predetermined time or by a predetermined distance after the close
movement, in a case of a detection failure where the neutral
position detecting element does not detect that the driving lever
is in the neutral position, a prohibiting portion executing a
prohibition of the driving of the driving lever after the driving
of the driving lever in the opposite direction by means of the
stress relaxing portion, in response to the detection of the
request for the movement of the opening-and-closing member, and a
cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the driving of the
driving lever by means of the prohibiting portion in a case where
the number of times of the detection failures is less than a
predetermined plural number of times.
2. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined plural
number of times is set to be the number of times of continuous
detection failures where the neutral position detecting element
does not detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position,
or the accumulated number of times of detection failures within a
predetermined time where the neutral position detecting element
does not detect that the driving lever is in the neutral
position.
3. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 2 further including: a latch
detecting element for detecting an unlatched state where the latch
mechanism does not hold the opening-and-closing member, wherein in
a case where the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
controller completes the release movement when the latch detecting
portion detects that the latch mechanism is in the unlatched state
after the driving lever is driven in response to the detection of
the request for the movement of the opening-and-closing member, or
when a time, being longer than a first predetermined time, within
which the release movement is estimated to be completed, has
elapsed after the driving of the driving lever has started, and
wherein in a state where the driving lever is in a position after
the driving of the driving lever in the opposite direction by means
of the stress relaxing portion, the controller completes the
release movement when the latch detecting portion detects that the
latch mechanism is in the unlatched state after the driving lever
is driven in response to the detection of the request for the
movement of the opening-and-closing member, or when a time, being
longer than a second predetermined time, which is set to be longer
than the first predetermined time, has elapsed after the driving of
the driving lever has started.
4. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the controller includes a
memorizing portion for memorizing whether the driving lever is in
the neutral position or in the position after the driving of the
driving lever in the opposite direction by means of the stress
relaxing portion, the memorizing portion being reset when a power
supply to the controller is stopped so that the memorizing portion
does not memorize a position of the driving lever, and wherein in a
case where the power is re-supplied to the controller, the
controller completes the release movement when the latch detecting
portion detects that the latch mechanism is in the unlatched state
in response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
opening-and-closing member, or when a time, being longer than a
second predetermined time, has elapsed after the driving of the
driving lever has started.
5. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 4 further including a latch
detecting element for detecting a state of the latch mechanism, an
element for detecting the request for an opening movement or a
closing movement of a vehicle door, wherein the latch mechanism is
configured to be switched to a fully-latched state for holding
vehicle door, a half-latched state for partially holding the
vehicle door, and the unlatched state for releasing the vehicle
door, when the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to
the half-latched state according to the closing movement or the
opening movement of the vehicle door, the controller executes a
driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in the
one direction from the neutral position in order to switch the
latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state, when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in
the opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
stress relaxing portion executes a stress relaxing movement for the
latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which the power source is
driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot the driving lever
toward the neutral position for a predetermined time or by a
predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is switched from
half-latched state to the fully-latched state, after the stress
relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the
prohibiting portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in
response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, the cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the
driving of the power source by means of the prohibiting portion and
switching the latch mechanism from fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state.
6. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 2 further including a latch
detecting element for detecting a state of the latch mechanism, an
element for detecting the request for an opening movement or a
closing movement of a vehicle door, wherein the latch mechanism is
configured to be switched to a fully-latched state for holding
vehicle door, a half-latched state for partially holding the
vehicle door, and the unlatched state for releasing the vehicle
door, when the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to
the half-latched state according to the closing movement or the
opening movement of the vehicle door, the controller executes a
driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in the
one direction from the neutral position in order to switch the
latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state, when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in
the opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
stress relaxing portion executes a stress relaxing movement for the
latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which the power source is
driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot the driving lever
toward the neutral position for a predetermined time or by a
predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is switched from
half-latched state to the fully-latched state, after the stress
relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the
prohibiting portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in
response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, the cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the
driving of the power source by means of the prohibiting portion and
switching the latch mechanism from fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state.
7. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 3 further including a latch
detecting element for detecting a state of the latch mechanism, an
element for detecting the request for an opening movement or a
closing movement of a vehicle door, wherein the latch mechanism is
configured to be switched to a fully-latched state for holding
vehicle door, a half-latched state for partially holding the
vehicle door, and the unlatched state for releasing the vehicle
door, when the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to
the half-latched state according to the closing movement or the
opening movement of the vehicle door, the controller executes a
driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in the
one direction from the neutral position in order to switch the
latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state, when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in
the opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
stress relaxing portion executes a stress relaxing movement for the
latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which the power source is
driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot the driving lever
toward the neutral position for a predetermined time or by a
predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is switched from
half-latched state to the fully-latched state, after the stress
relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the
prohibiting portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in
response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, the cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the
driving of the power source by means of the prohibiting portion and
switching the latch mechanism from fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state.
8. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 1 further including: a latch
detecting element for detecting an unlatched state where the latch
mechanism does not hold the opening-and-closing member, wherein in
a case where the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
controller completes the release movement when the latch detecting
portion detects that the latch mechanism is in the unlatched state
after the driving lever is driven in response to the detection of
the request for the movement of the opening-and-closing member, or
when a time, being longer than a first predetermined time, within
which the release movement is estimated to be completed, has
elapsed after the driving of the driving lever has started, and
wherein in a state where the driving lever is in a position after
the driving of the driving lever in the opposite direction by means
of the stress relaxing portion, the controller completes the
release movement when the latch detecting portion detects that the
latch mechanism is in the unlatched state after the driving lever
is driven in response to the detection of the request for the
movement of the opening-and-closing member, or when a time, being
longer than a second predetermined time, which is set to be longer
than the first predetermined time, has elapsed after the driving of
the driving lever has started.
9. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the controller includes a
memorizing portion for memorizing whether the driving lever is in
the neutral position or in the position after the driving of the
driving lever in the opposite direction by means of the stress
relaxing portion, the memorizing portion being reset when a power
supply to the controller is stopped so that the memorizing portion
does not memorize a position of the driving lever, and wherein in a
case where the power is re-supplied to the controller, the
controller completes the release movement when the latch detecting
portion detects that the latch mechanism is in the unlatched state
in response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
opening-and-closing member, or when a time, being longer than a
second predetermined time, has elapsed after the driving of the
driving lever has started.
10. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member
for the vehicle according to claim 9 further including a latch
detecting element for detecting a state of the latch mechanism, an
element for detecting the request for an opening movement or a
closing movement of a vehicle door, wherein the latch mechanism is
configured to be switched to a fully-latched state for holding
vehicle door, a half-latched state for partially holding the
vehicle door, and the unlatched state for releasing the vehicle
door, when the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to
the half-latched state according to the closing movement or the
opening movement of the vehicle door, the controller executes a
driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in the
one direction from the neutral position in order to switch the
latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state, when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in
the opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
stress relaxing portion executes a stress relaxing movement for the
latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which the power source is
driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot the driving lever
toward the neutral position for a predetermined time or by a
predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is switched from
half-latched state to the fully-latched state, after the stress
relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the
prohibiting portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in
response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, the cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the
driving of the power source by means of the prohibiting portion and
switching the latch mechanism from fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state.
11. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member
for the vehicle according to claim 8 further including an element
for detecting the request for an opening movement or a closing
movement of a vehicle door, wherein the latch mechanism is
configured to be switched to a fully-latched state for holding
vehicle door, a half-latched state for partially holding the
vehicle door, and the unlatched state for releasing the vehicle
door, when the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to
the half-latched state according to the closing movement or the
opening movement of the vehicle door, the controller executes a
driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in the
one direction from the neutral position in order to switch the
latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state, when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in
the opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
stress relaxing portion executes a stress relaxing movement for the
latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which the power source is
driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot the driving lever
toward the neutral position for a predetermined time or by a
predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is switched from
half-latched state to the fully-latched state, after the stress
relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the
prohibiting portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in
response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, the cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the
driving of the power source by means of the prohibiting portion and
switching the latch mechanism from fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state.
12. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member
for the vehicle according to claim 1 further including a latch
detecting element for detecting a state of the latch mechanism, an
element for detecting the request for an opening movement or a
closing movement of a vehicle door, wherein the latch mechanism is
configured to be switched to a fully-latched state for holding
vehicle door, a half-latched state for partially holding the
vehicle door, and the unlatched state for releasing the vehicle
door, when the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to
the half-latched state according to the closing movement or the
opening movement of the vehicle door, the controller executes a
driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in the
one direction from the neutral position in order to switch the
latch mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state, when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of a power source so as to drive the driving lever in
the opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, the
stress relaxing portion executes a stress relaxing movement for the
latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which the power source is
driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot the driving lever
toward the neutral position for a predetermined time or by a
predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is switched from
half-latched state to the fully-latched state, after the stress
relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the
prohibiting portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in
response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, the cancelling portion cancelling the prohibition of the
driving of the power source by means of the prohibiting portion and
switching the latch mechanism from fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state.
13. The apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member
for the vehicle comprising: a latch mechanism configured to be
switched to a fully-latched state for holding the vehicle door, a
half-latched state for partially holding the vehicle door, and an
unlatched state for releasing the vehicle door; a driving lever
configured to be interlocked with the latch mechanism, and driven
by a power source to pivot; a neutral position detecting element
detecting that the driving lever is in a predetermined neutral
position where the interlocking between the latch mechanism and the
driving lever is released; a latch detecting element detecting a
state of the latch mechanism; an element for detecting a request
for an opening movement or a closing movement of the vehicle door,
and a controller executing a driving of the power source so as to
drive the driving lever in one direction from the neutral position
in order to switch the latch mechanism from the half-latched state
to the fully-latched state, after the driving lever is switched
from the unlatched state to the half-latched state according to the
closing movement or the opening movement of the vehicle door,
wherein when the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the vehicle door is detected, the controller executes
the driving of the power source so as to drive the driving lever in
an opposite direction from the neutral position in order to switch
the latch mechanism from the fully-latched state or the
half-latched state to the unlatched state, after the driving lever
is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched state, the
controller executes the driving of the power source so as to return
the driving lever to the neutral position, in a case of a detection
failure where the neutral position detecting element does not
detect that the driving lever is in the neutral position, a stress
relaxing portion of the controller executes a stress relaxing
movement for the latch mechanism and the driving lever, in which
the power source is driven in the opposite direction so as to pivot
the driving lever toward the neutral position for a predetermined
time or by a predetermined distance after the latch mechanism is
switched from the half-latched state to the fully-latched state,
after the stress relaxing movement by means of the stress relaxing
portion, a prohibiting portion of the controller prohibits the
driving of the power source in response to the detection of the
request for the opening movement or the closing movement of the
vehicle door, and wherein in a case where the number of times of
the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural number
of times, a cancelling portion of the controller cancels the
prohibition of the driving of the power source by means of the
prohibiting portion and switches the latch mechanism from the
fully-latched state or the half-latched state to the unlatched
state.
14. An apparatus for controlling an opening-and-closing member of a
vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a latch engageable with the
opening-and-closing member; a gear configured to rotate in one
direction from a neutral position to a closed position and move the
latch while rotating in the one direction, and rotate in an
opposite direction from the neutral position to an open position
and move the latch while rotating in the opposite direction; a
neutral position detecting switch configured to detect the gear in
the neutral position; and a controller configured to: instruct a
closing movement in which the gear rotates in the one direction
from the neutral position to the closed position and moves the
latch to engage the opening-and-closing member, instruct a release
movement in which the gear rotates in the opposite direction from
the neutral position to the open position and moves the latch to
release the opening-and-closing member, instruct a return movement
in which the gear rotates back to the neutral position after the
closing movement or the release movement, instruct a stress
relaxing movement in which the gear rotates in the opposite
direction for a predetermined time or by a predetermined amount
after the closing movement when the neutral position detecting
switch fails to detect the gear in the neutral position, and
prevent rotation of the gear after the stress relaxing movement
when a number of times the neutral position detecting switch has
failed to detect the gear in the neutral position exceeds a
predetermined number.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application 2009-173293, filed on Jul.
24, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling an
opening-and-closing member for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
An apparatus for controlling an opening-and-closing member for a
vehicle is disclosed in JP2002-250163A. According to
JP2002-250163A, after a vehicle door, serving as the
opening-and-closing member, is switched to a half-closed state
during a closing movement of the vehicle door, a motor unit is
driven so as to pivot a movement gear, which has been in a neutral
position, toward a door-fully-closing side, thereby holding the
vehicle door in a fully-closed state (a close movement).
Subsequently, the movement gear is returned to the neutral
position. Further, after a signal for requesting an opening
movement of the vehicle door is detected in response to an
operation of a button and the like by a user, the motor unit is
driven so as to pivot the movement gear, which has been in the
neutral position, toward a door full-close releasing side, thereby
releasing the holding of the vehicle door by means of the latch
mechanism (a release movement). Subsequently, the movement gear is
returned to the neutral position. Further, a state where the
movement gear is in the neutral position is detected on the basis
of a detection signal (switching of ON-OFF state) of a neutral
switch.
When the state where the movement gear is in the neutral position
is not detected, after the close movement, due to an abnormal
performance of the neutral switch, a program shifts to an abnormal
movement mode, and a stress relaxing movement is performed.
Subsequently, the movement gear (the motor unit) is forcibly
stopped and maintained to be in a non-driven state. The stress
relaxing movement is performed in order to relax an excessive
stress, which is generated relative to the latch mechanism and the
like during the close movement. In the stress relaxing movement,
the movement gear is normally stopped at a position closer to the
door-fully-closing side, so that the holding of the vehicle door by
means of the latch mechanism is not released.
However, according to JP2002-250163A, the movement gear is forcibly
stopped, after the stress relaxing movement in response to the
abnormal performance of the neutral switch. Therefore, after the
abnormal performance, the release movement is not allowed to be
performed in response to the detection of the signal for requesting
the opening movement of the vehicle door. Accordingly, the opening
movement of the vehicle door is not performed in response to the
operation by the user, and the operation of the vehicle door may
become less convenient.
On the other hand, in a case where the release movement is
performed even after the stress relaxing movement in response to
the abnormal performance of the neutral switch, in order to improve
convenience, a positional error of the movement gear may be
accumulated, and the accuracy of movement of the latch mechanism
may be deteriorated.
A need thus exists for an apparatus for controlling an
opening-and-closing member for a vehicle, which is not susceptible
to the drawback mentioned above.
SUMMARY
According to an aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for
controlling an opening-and-closing member for a vehicle includes: a
latch mechanism; a driving lever provided to be interlocked with
the latch mechanism; a neutral position detecting portion detecting
that the driving lever is in a predetermined neutral position for
releasing the latch mechanism; and a controlling portion performing
a close movement, in which the driving lever is driven in one
direction from the neutral position so as to hold the
opening-and-closing member by means of the latch mechanism, a
release movement, in which the driving lever is driven in the other
direction from the neutral position in response to a detection of a
request for a movement of the opening-and-closing member so as to
release the holding of the opening-and-closing member by means of
the latch mechanism, and a returning movement, in which the driving
lever is driven in a reverse direction so as to return the driving
lever to the neutral position after the close movement or the
release movement, the controlling portion including a stress
relaxing portion executing a driving of the driving lever in a
reverse direction toward the neutral position for a predetermined
time or by a predetermined amount after the close movement, in a
case of a detection failure where the neutral position detecting
portion does not detect that the driving lever is in the neutral
position, a prohibiting portion executing a prohibition of the
driving of the driving lever after the driving of the driving lever
in the reverse direction by means of the stress relaxing portion,
in response to the detection of the request for the movement of the
opening-and-closing member, and a cancelling portion cancelling the
prohibition of the driving of the driving lever by means of the
prohibiting portion in a case where the number of times of the
detection failures is less than a predetermined plural number of
times.
According to another aspect of this disclosure, the apparatus for
controlling the opening-and-closing member for the vehicle
includes: a latch mechanism configured to be switched to a
fully-latched state for holding a vehicle door, a half-latched
state for half-holding the vehicle door, and an unlatched state for
releasing the vehicle door; a driving lever configured to be
interlocked with the latch mechanism, and driven to pivot by a
power source; a neutral position detecting portion detecting that
the driving lever is in a predetermined neutral position where the
interlocking between the latch mechanism and the driving lever is
released; a latch detecting portion detecting a state of the latch
mechanism a portion for detecting a request for a movement
detecting the request for an opening movement or a closing movement
of the vehicle door, and the controlling portion executing a
driving of the power source so as to drive the driving lever in one
direction from the neutral position in order to switch the latch
mechanism from the half-latched state to the fully-latched state
after the driving lever is switched from unlatched state to the
half-latched state according to the closing movement or the opening
movement of the vehicle door. When the request for the opening
movement or the closing movement of the vehicle door is detected,
the controlling portion executes the driving of a power source so
as to drive the driving lever in the other direction from the
neutral position in order to switch the latch mechanism from the
fully-latched state or the half-latched state to the unlatched
state. After the driving lever is switched to the fully-latched
state or the unlatched state the controlling portion executes the
driving of the power source so as to return the driving lever to
the neutral position. In a case of a detection failure where the
neutral position detecting portion does not detect that the driving
lever is in the neutral position, the stress relaxing portion
executing a stress relaxing movement for the latch mechanism and
the driving lever, in which the power source is driven in the
reverse direction so as to pivot the driving lever toward the
neutral position for a predetermined time or by a predetermined
amount after the latch mechanism is switched from half-latched
state to the fully-latched state. After the stress relaxing
movement by means of the stress relaxing portion, the prohibiting
portion prohibiting the driving of the power source in response to
the detection of the request for the movement of the vehicle door.
In a case where the number of times of the detection failures is
less than the predetermined plural number of times, the cancelling
portion cancelling the prohibition of the driving of the power
source by means of the prohibiting portion and switching the latch
mechanism from fully-latched state or the half-latched state to the
unlatched state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of this
disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed
description considered with the reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus
for controlling an opening-and-closing member for a vehicle;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a door lock device;
FIG. 3A is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of a closing operation;
FIG. 3B is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of the closing operation;
FIG. 3C is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of the closing operation;
FIG. 3D is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of the closing operation;
FIG. 4A is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of an releasing operation;
FIG. 4B is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of the releasing operation;
FIG. 4C is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of the releasing operation;
FIG. 4D is an explanatory view illustrating a movement of the door
lock device at the time of the releasing operation;
FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating changes of detection signals
from latch switches;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating changes of detection signals
from neutral switches;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration
of the apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing member for
the vehicle according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship
between a pivot position of an active lever and a change of a state
of a latch mechanism;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a controlling manner according
to the embodiment; and
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a controlling manner according
to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An embodiment of an apparatus for controlling an
opening-and-closing member for a vehicle will be described
hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a
side view illustrating the vehicle, on which the apparatus for
controlling the opening-and-closing member for the vehicle
according to the embodiment is mounted. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
an opening portion 1a, through which a user gets in and out the
vehicle, is formed at a side portion of a vehicle body 1. A slide
door (an opening-and-closing member, a vehicle door) 2 is supported
at the vehicle body 1 by means of supporting members so as to be
movable in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. When the slide
door 2 moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the
opening portion 1a is opened/closed accordingly by means of the
slide door 2. Hereinafter, an opening and a closing of the opening
portion 1a by means of the slide door 2 will be referred to as an
opening and a closing of the slide door 2.
An outside grip 3 is fixed at an exterior surface of the slide door
2 at a front portion thereof. The outside grip 3 is formed into a
substantially bow shape, extending in the front-rear direction of
the vehicle. A close switch (a portion for detecting a request for
a movement) 41 and an open switch (a portion for detecting a
request for a movement) 42 are provided at the outside grip 3 so as
to be exposed to an outside of the slide door 2. The close switch
41 and the open switch 42 output operational signals for requesting
a movement of the slide door 2 (a request for a closing movement of
the slide door 2 and a request for an opening movement of the slide
door 2).
A first striker 4, formed into a substantially U shape, is fixed at
a rear end portion of the opening portion 1a (see FIG. 2). Further,
a door lock device 10 is arranged in an inner side of the slide
door 2 at a rear end portion thereof so as to correspond the first
striker 4. The door lock device 10 is engageable with and
disengageable from the first striker 4. Likewise, a second striker
5, formed into a substantially U shape, is fixed at a front end
portion of the opening portion 1a. Further, a front lock 6 is
arranged in an inner side of the slide door 2 at a front end
portion thereof so as to correspond to the second striker 5. The
front lock 6 is engageable with and disengageable from the second
striker 5. The door lock device 10 and the front lock 6 engage with
the first and second strikers 4 and 5, respectively, thereby
holding the slide door 2 relative to the vehicle body 1 in a
fully-closed state. Further, a full-opening lock 7 is arranged in
an inner side of the slide door 2 at a front end portion thereof.
The full-opening lock 7 is engageable with a rear end portion of
the opening portion 1a. When the slide door 2 is opened, the
full-opening lock 7 engages with the rear end portion of the
opening portion 1a, thereby holding the slide door 2 relative to
the vehicle body 1 in a fully-opened state.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4A to 4D, the door lock
device 10 includes a latch mechanism 12. The latch mechanism 12 is
supported at the slide door 2 via a base plate, fixed at the slide
door 2. The latch mechanism 12 includes a latch 13 and a pawl 14.
The latch 13 and the pawl 14 are arranged at the base plate so as
to be pivotable around first and second pivot shafts 12a and 12b,
respectively, which are arranged to be in parallel with each other.
The latch mechanism 12 engages with and disengages from the first
striker 4.
More specifically, the latch 13, which includes an engagement
recessed portion 13a, is formed into a substantially U shape.
Further, the latch 13 includes a first protruding portion 13b at
one side of the engagement recessed portion 13a (at a position
pivoted from the engagement recessed portion 13a in a clockwise
direction in FIG. 3A) and a second protruding portion 13c at the
opposite side of the engagement recessed portion 13a (at a position
pivoted from the engagement recessed portion 13a in a
counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3A). A first engagement portion
13d is formed at an end portion of the first protruding portion 13b
on a side opposite from the engagement recessed portion 13a. A
second engagement portion 13e is formed at an end portion of the
second protruding portion 13c on a side facing the engagement
recessed portion 13a. The latch 13 is engaged with one end of a
latch biasing spring, the other end of which is held at the base
plate, thereby being biased so as to pivot in the clockwise
direction in FIG. 3A. Further, when the latch 13 contacts a latch
stopper, provided at the base plate, further pivoting of the latch
13 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3A is restricted, and the
latch 13 is held at a predetermined pivot position shown in FIG.
3A.
On the other hand, the pawl 14 is includes an engagement end
portion 14a, which extends from the second pivot shaft 12b in one
direction (in a right direction in FIG. 3A), and an extending end
portion 14b, which extends from the second pivot shaft 12b in the
opposite direction (in a left direction in FIG. 3A). The pawl 14 is
engaged with one end of a pawl biasing spring, the other end of
which is held at the base plate, and thereby being biased so as to
pivot in the counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3A (in a direction
where the engagement end portion 14a pivots upwardly in FIG. 3A).
Further, when the pawl 14 contacts a pawl stopper, provided at the
base plate, further pivoting of the pawl 14 in the
counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3A is restricted, and the pawl
14 is held at a predetermined pivot position shown in FIG. 3A.
A basic movement of the latch mechanism 12 will be described
hereinafter. In a state where the slide door 2 is open, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4D, the latch 13 contacts the latch
stopper so as to be held at the predetermined pivot position, and
the engagement recessed portion 13a faces a path of the first
striker 4, along which the first striker 4 advances in response to
the closing movement of the slide door 2. Further, the pawl 14
contacts the pawl stopper so as to be held at the predetermined
pivot position, and the engagement end portion 14a is positioned
below the second protruding portion 13c. Such state of the latch
mechanism 12 is referred to as an unlatched state (a released
state).
Subsequently, in response to the closing movement of the slide door
2, the first striker 4 advances into the engagement recessed
portion 13a while thrusting an inner wall surface of the engagement
recessed portion 13a. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the
latch 13 pivots in a counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3B against
a biasing force of the latch biasing spring. Then, when the second
engagement portion 13e engages with the engagement end portion 14a,
the latch 13 stops to pivot. At that time, the slide door 2 is in a
half-closed state where the latch 13 engages with the first striker
4 at the engagement recessed portion 13a so as not to be released
therefrom. Such state of the latch mechanism 12 is referred to as a
half-latched state.
In the half-latched state of the latch mechanism 12, when the latch
13 is driven so as to further pivot in the counter-clockwise
direction in FIG. 3B, as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D and FIGS.
4A and 4B, the first striker 4, which is advancing into the
engagement recessed portion 13a of the latch 13, is further dragged
therein. Then, when the first engagement portion 13d engages with
the engagement end portion 14a, the latch 13 stops to pivot. At
that time, the slide door 2 is in a fully-closed state where the
latch 13 engages with the first striker 4 at the engagement
recessed portion 13a so as not to be released therefrom. Such state
of the latch mechanism 12 is referred to as a fully-latched state
(an engaged state).
Further, in the above-described half-latched state or the
fully-latched state of the latch mechanism 12, when the pawl 14 is
driven so as to further pivot in a clockwise direction in FIGS. 4A
and 4B, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the engagement between the
engagement end portion 14a and the first engagement portion 13d or
the engagement between the engagement end portion 14a and the
second engagement portion 13e is released. At that time, the latch
13 is biased by the latch biasing spring so as to pivot in the
clockwise direction in FIG. 3A while thrusting the first striker 4
at the inner wall surface of the engagement recessed portion 13a.
Consequently, when the engagement between the latch 13 and the
first striker 4 at the engagement recessed portion 13a is released,
the slide door 2 is allowed to be opened.
Configurations for driving the latch mechanism 12 (the latch 13 and
the pawl 14) will be described hereinafter. The door lock device 10
includes a pinion 22. The pinion 22 is supported at the slide door
2 via a bracket, fixed at the slide door 2. The pinion 22 is
connected to an output shaft of a first DC motor (a power source)
11 so as to integrally rotate therewith. An active lever (a driving
lever) 24, made of a metal plate and formed into a substantially
sector shape, is arranged at the bracket so as to be pivotable
about a third pivot shaft 23 whose axis extends in a different
direction from axes of the first and second pivot shafts 12a and
12b of the latch 13 and the pawl 14, respectively, and in parallel
with a pivot axis of the pinion 22. The active lever 24 includes a
gear portion 24a, which is formed at the active lever 24 so as to
extend along an arc-shaped end portion of the active lever 24 so as
to engage with the pinion 22. The active lever 24, which is driven
by means of the first DC motor 11, is held at a pivot position due
to an engagement between the gear portion 24a of the active lever
24 and the pinion 22. Normally, the active lever 24 is set to be
held at a predetermined neutral position shown in FIGS. 3D and 4A
(which will be referred to as a first neutral position) where the
active lever 24 engages with the pinion 22 at a substantially
intermediate portion of the gear portion 24a in a circumferential
direction of the active lever 24, or at a predetermined neutral
position shown in FIGS. 3A and 4D (which will be referred to as a
second neutral position). A range where the active lever 24 is
positioned between the first and second neutral positions will be
referred to as a neutral range.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the active lever 24 is
interlocked with the latch 13 via a close movement mechanism 25. In
the half-latched state of the latch mechanism 12, when the active
lever 24 pivots in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3B, a pivotal
force of the active lever 24 is transmitted to the latch 13.
Consequently, the latch 13 pivots in the counter-clockwise
direction in FIG. 3B until the latch 13 contacts the pawl 14 and
the pivoting of the latch 13 is stopped by means the pawl 14.
Consequently, the latch mechanism 12 is switched to the
fully-latched state.
Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the active lever 24 is
interlocked with the pawl 14 via a release movement mechanism 26.
In the fully-latched state of the latch mechanism 12, when the
active lever 24 pivots in a counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3C,
a pivotal force of the active lever 24 is transmitted to the pawl
14. Consequently, the pawl 14 pivots in a clockwise direction in
FIG. 4C so that the above-mentioned stopping of the latch 13 from
pivoting by means of the pawl 14 is released. Consequently, the
latch mechanism 12 is switched to the unlatched state.
When the pivot position of the active lever 24 is in the
above-mentioned neutral range, both of the latch 13 and the pawl 14
are set to be released from the active lever 24. As illustrated in
FIGS. 3A and 4A, the door lock device 10 includes a half-latch
switch (a latch detecting portion) 31 and a full-latch switch (a
latch detecting portion) 32, each of which is configured by a
rotary switch. Each of the half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch
switch 32 detects a pivot position of the latch 13. More
specifically, the half-latch switch 31 detects that the latch 13 is
at a pivot position corresponding to the half-latched state (which
will be hereinafter referred to as a half-latch position). On the
other hand, the full-latch switch 32 detects that the latch 13 is
at a pivot position corresponding to the fully-latched state (which
will be hereinafter referred to as a full-latch position). The door
lock 10 further includes a pawl switch 33, which is configured by a
rotary switch. The pawl switch 33 detects a pivot position of the
pawl 14. More specifically, the pawl switch 33 detects a pivotal
movement of the pawl 14 in accordance with the switching of the
latch mechanism 12 to the half-latched state or the fully-latched
state.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating a relationship between a
state of the latch mechanism 12 and detection signals from
half-latch switch 31 and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the
half-latch switch 31 detects a signal, which is switched from ON to
OFF immediately before the latch mechanism 12 is switched from the
unlatched state to the half-latched state, and outputs the signal
as a detection signal. The full-latch switch 32 detects a signal,
which is switched from ON to OFF immediately before the latch
mechanism 12 is switched from the half-latched state to the
fully-latched state, and outputs the signal as a detection signal.
The pawl switch 33 detects a signal, which is switched from OFF to
ON when the pawl 14 starts to pivot in response to a switching of
the latch mechanism 12 from the unlatched state to the half latched
state, and outputs the signal as a detection signal. Further, the
pawl switch 33 detects a signal, which is switched from ON to OFF
when the pawl 14 stops to pivot in response to a completion of the
switching of the latch mechanism 12 to the half-latched state, and
outputs the signal as a detection signal. Further, the pawl switch
33 detects a signal, which is switched from OFF to ON when the pawl
14 starts to pivot in response to a switching of the latch
mechanism 12 from half-latched state to fully-latched state, and
outputs the signal as a detection signal. Further, the pawl switch
33, detects a signal, which is switched from ON to OFF when the
pawl 14 stops to pivot in response to a completion of the switching
of the latch mechanism 12 to the fully-latched state, and outputs
the signal as a detection signal.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the door lock device 10 includes
a first neutral position detecting switch (a neutral position
detecting portion) 34 and a second neutral position detecting
switch (a neutral position detecting portion) 35, each of which is
configured by a rotary switch. The first and second neutral
position detecting switches 34 and 35 detect a pivot position of
the active lever 24. More specifically, the first neutral position
detecting switch 34 detects that the active lever 24 is positioned
at the first neutral position. Likewise, the second neutral
position switch 35 detects that the active lever 24 is positioned
at the second neutral position.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a relationship between the
detection signals from the first and second neutral position
detecting switches 34 and 35 and the active lever 24, which is
positioned within the neutral range, at a pivot position on a side
where the latch mechanism 12 is switched to the fully-latched state
(which will be hereinafter referred to as a close range), and at a
pivot position on a side where the latch mechanism 12 is switched
to the unlatched state (which will be hereinafter referred to as a
release range). As illustrated in FIG. 6, a detection signal NPCsw,
outputted from the first neutral position detecting switch 34, is
set to be ON when the active lever 24 is within the close range,
and is set to be OFF when the active lever 24 is within the neutral
range or the release range. ON the other hand, a detection signal
NPRsw, outputted from the second neutral position detecting switch
35, is set to be ON when the active lever 24 is within the release
range, and is set to be OFF when the active lever 24 is within the
close range or the neutral range. In other words, the first neutral
position detecting switch 34 detects a signal, which is switched
from ON to OFF when the active lever 24 moves from the close range
to the neutral range, and outputs the signal as a detection signal
NPCsw. Likewise, the second neutral position detecting switch 35
detects a signal, which is switched from ON to OFF when the active
lever 24 moves from the release range to the neutral range, and
outputs the signal as a detection signal NPRsw.
The front lock 6 includes a latch mechanism (a latch and a pawl)
similar to the latch mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10. For
example, when the latch mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10 is
switched to the half-latched state, the latch mechanism of the
front lock 6 is also switched to a half-latched state in a
synchronous manner. Therefore, when the door lock device 10 is
driven by means of the first DC motor 11, and the first striker 4
is dragged into the latch 13 in the above-described manner, the
latch (an engagement recessed portion) of the front lock 6 is
thrust by means of the second striker 5 so as to pivot in response
to the closing movement of the slide door 2 until the pivot of the
latch is stopped by the pawl. Then, the latch mechanism of the
front lock 6 is switched to a fully-latched state synchronously
with the latch mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10.
Consequently, the slide door 2 is held in a fully-closed state by
means of both of the door lock device 10 and the front lock 6.
The pawl of the front lock 6 is connected to the first DC motor 11
of the door lock device 10 via a transmitting member so as to be
driven by the first DC motor 11. The pawl of the front lock 6 and
the pawl 14 of the door lock device 10 are interlocked. Therefore,
in the fully-latched state (alternatively, the half-latched state)
of the latch mechanism 12 and the latch mechanism of the front lock
6, when the first DC motor 11 is driven so as to pivot the pawl 14
of the door lock device 10 in the above-described manner, the pawl
of the front lock 6 also pivots in an interlocking manner.
Consequently, the latch mechanism of the front lock 6 and the latch
mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10 are switched to the
unlatched state synchronously. Accordingly, the engagement between
the door lock device 10 and the first striker 4 and between the
front lock 6 and the second striker 5 are released and the slide
door 2 is allowed to be opened (an opening movement of the slide
door 2 becomes possible).
On the other hand, the full-opening lock 7 also includes a latch
mechanism (a latch and a pawl) similar to the latch mechanism 12 of
the door lock device 10. The latch mechanism (the latch and the
pawl) of the full-opening lock 7 is connected to the first DC motor
11 of the door lock device 10 via a transmitting member so as to be
driven by the first DC motor 11. The latch mechanism (the latch and
the pawl) of the full-opening lock 7 and the latch mechanism 12
(the latch 13 and the pawl 14) of the door lock device 10 are
interlocked. For example, in a state where the latch mechanism of
the full-opening lock 7 is switched to the half-latched state in
response to the opening movement of the slide door 2, when the
first DC motor 11 is driven so as to (idly) pivot the latch 13 of
the door lock device 10 in the above-described manner, the latch of
the full-opening lock 7 also pivots in an interlocking manner.
Consequently, the latch of the full-opening lock 7 is switched to
the fully-latched state. Accordingly, the slide door 2 is held in
the fully-opened state by means of the full-opening lock 7.
In the fully-latched state (alternatively, the half-latched state)
of the latch mechanism of the full-opening lock 7, when the first
DC motor 11 is driven so as to (idly) pivot the pawl 14 of the door
lock device 10 in the above-described manner, the pawl of the
full-opening lock 7 also pivots in an interlocking manner.
Consequently, the pawl of the full-opening lock 7 is switched to
the unlatched state. Accordingly, the slide door 2 is allowed to be
opened (the closing movement of the slide door 2 becomes
possible).
An electrical configuration of the apparatus for controlling the
opening-and-closing member for the vehicle will be described
hereinafter. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical
configuration of the apparatus for controlling the
opening-and-closing member for the vehicle according to the
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a door Electronic Control
Unit (which will be hereinafter referred to as a door ECU) (a
controlling portion) 40 is mounted on the vehicle. The door ECU 40
is configured mainly by, for example, a micro controller (MCU). A
memory (a memorizing portion) 40a, having backup power source, and
a timer 40b, serving as a timing device, and the like are embedded
in the door ECU 40. The door ECU 40 is electrically connected to
the first DC motor 11, the half-latch switch 31, the full-latch
switch 32, the pawl switch 33 and the first and second neutral
position detecting switches 34 and 35. The door ECU 40 controls the
driving of the first DC motor 11 so as to control the pivot of the
active lever 24 via the pinion 22, thereby controlling the
switching of the latch mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10 and
the like in the above-describer manner. The door ECU 40 determines
that the latch mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10 and the like
is in the half-latched state (the latch 13 is in the half-latched
position) on the basis of the detection signal, outputted from the
half-latch switch 31. The door ECU 40 determines that the latch
mechanism 12 of the door lock device 10 and the like is in the
fully-latched state (the latch 13 is in the fully-latched position)
on the basis of the detection signal, outputted from the full-latch
switch 32. The door ECU 40 determines that the active lever 24 is
positioned at the first and second neutral positions on the basis
of the detection signals NPCsw and NPRsw outputted from the first
and second neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35,
respectively.
The door ECU 40 is further electrically connected to a door driving
unit 50. The door driving unit 50 includes a second DC motor 51, an
electromagnetic clutch 52, a pulse sensor 53 and the like. For
example, the second DC motor 51, fixed at the vehicle body 1 side
is connected to the slide door 2 via a transmitting member (for
example, a cable device) (Alternatively, the second DC motor 51,
fixed at the slide door 2 side is connected to the vehicle body 1
via a transmitting member (for example, a cable device). The door
ECU 40 controls a driving of the second DC motor 51 so as to
control opening and closing of the slide door 2. Further, the door
ECU 40 controls a driving of the electromagnetic clutch 52 so as to
selectively establish a power transmission between the second DC
motor 51 and the slide door 2. The power transmission is controlled
to be established in order to electrically drive the slide door 2
so as to be opened and closed. On the other hand, the power
transmission is interrupted in order to manually operate the slide
door 2 so as to be opened and closed. Accordingly, the slide door 2
may be smoothly opened and closed. Further, the door ECU 40
determines a rotational direction (a forward rotation or a reverse
rotation), a rotational amount and a rotational speed of the second
DC motor 51 (i.e., a position and a speed (a moving speed) of the
slide door 2 when the slide door 2 is opened and closed) on the
basis of a pair of pulse signals, having different phases and
outputted from the pulse sensor 53.
The door ECU 40 is further electrically connected to the close
switch 41 and the open switch 42. The close switch 41 outputs an
operational signal for requesting the closing movement of the slide
door 2 in response to an operation of the user. The door ECU 40
controls the driving of the door driving unit 50 (the second DC
motor 51 and the electromagnetic clutch 52) on the basis of the
operational signal, outputted from the close switch 41, so as to
perform the closing movement of the slide door 2, which has been in
the opened-state. Further, after the latch mechanism 12 of the door
lock device 10 and the latch mechanism of the front lock 6 are
switched to the half-latched state in accordance with the driving
of the door driving unit 50, the door ECU 40 controls the driving
of the first DC motor 11 so as to switch the latch mechanism 12 to
the fully-latched state. Accordingly, the slide door 2 is held at
the fully-closed state. Further, in a case where the slide door 2
is held at the fully-opened state at the time when the close switch
41 is operated by the user, the door ECU 40 controls the driving of
the first DC motor 11 so as to switch the latch mechanism of the
full-opening lock 7 to the unlatched state before the door ECU 40
starts to drive the door driving unit 50, thereby switching the
slide door 2 to a state where the closing movement is
performable.
The open switch 42 outputs an operational signal for requesting the
opening movement of the slide door 2 in response to an operation of
the user. The door ECU 40 controls the driving of the first DC
motor 11 on the basis of the operational signal, outputted from the
open switch 42, so as to switch the latch mechanism 12, which has
been in the fully-latched state (half-latched state) to the
unlatched state. Consequently, the door ECU 40 controls the driving
of the door driving unit 50 (the second DC motor 51 and the
electromagnetic clutch 52) so as to perform the opening movement of
the slide door 2, whose opening movement has become possible.
Further, after the latch mechanism of the full-opening lock 7 is
switched to the half-latched state in accordance with the driving
of the door driving unit 50, the door ECU 40 controls the driving
of the first DC motor 11 so as to switch the latch mechanism of the
full-opening lock 7 to the fully-latched state. Accordingly, the
slide door 2 is held in the fully-opened state.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship
between a pivot position (a moving angle) of the active lever 24
and a change of a state of the latch mechanism 12. A manner of the
controlling of the door lock device 10 by means of the door ECU 40
will be further described hereinafter on the basis of FIG. 8 with
reference to FIGS. 3A to 6.
The closing movement of the slide door 2 will be described
hereinafter, beginning from a state where the active lever 24 is
positioned in the neutral range (at the second neutral position
shown in FIG. 3A). As described-above, when the closing movement of
the slide door 2 starts to be performed, the latch mechanism 12 is
switched from unlatched state to the half-latched state (see FIG.
3B). Immediately before the latch mechanism 12 is switched from the
unlatched state to the half-latched state, the signal, which is
switched from ON to OFF, is detected by means of the half-latch
switch 31 as a detection signal (see FIG. 5). Then, the door ECU 40
drives the first DC motor 11 so as to pivot the active lever 24,
thereby switching the latch mechanism 12 to the fully-latched state
(see FIG. 3C). Accordingly, the slide door 2 is held at the
fully-closed state (a close movement). Further, during the close
movement, when the active lever 24 is further pivoted in the
clockwise direction in FIG. 3C from the first neutral position, the
signal, which is switched from OFF to ON, is detected by means of
the first neutral position detecting switch 34 (see FIG. 6). The
signal, detected by the second neutral position detecting switch
35, remains to be OFF.
Subsequently, when the signal, which is switched from ON to OFF, is
detected by the full-latch switch 32 is (see FIG. 5), the switching
of the latch mechanism 12 to the fully-latched state (the close
movement) is completed. Therefore, the door ECU 40 determines
whether or not the first neutral position detecting switch 34 is ON
and whether or not the second neutral position detecting switch 35
is OFF (i.e., the active lever 24 is in the close range) (see FIG.
6). When the door ECU 40 determines that the first neutral position
detecting switch 34 is ON and the second neutral position detecting
switch 35 is OFF, the door ECU 40 drives the first DC motor 11 so
as to pivot the active lever 24 in a reverse direction (in the
counter clockwise direction in FIG. 3D), thereby returning the
active lever 24 to the neutral range (the first neutral position
shown in FIG. 3D and FIG. 4A) (a returning from close range
movement, a returning movement). When the active lever 24 is
further pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3D from
the first neutral position, and the signal, which is switched from
ON to OFF, is detected by the first neutral position detecting
switch 34 (see FIG. 6), the door ECU 40 stops the driving of the
first DC motor 11. In a case of a detection failure where the
signal, which is switched from ON to OFF, is not accidentally
detected by the first neutral position detecting switch 34, the
door ECU 40 stops the driving of the first DC motor 11 on the basis
of the determination that the signal, which is switched from OFF to
ON, is detected by the second neutral position detecting switch 35,
or that a predetermined time TNPC, within which the active lever 24
is estimated to reach the neutral range, has elapsed.
In a case where it is not detected that the detection signal of the
first neutral position detecting switch 34 is ON and the detection
signal of the second neutral position detecting switch 35 is OFF at
the time point where the close movement (the switching of the latch
mechanism 12 to the fully-latched state) is completed, the door ECU
40 does not determine that the active lever 24 is in the close
range. In such a case, the door ECU 40 drives the first DC motor 11
in the reverse direction so as to move the active lever 24 toward
the neutral range (the first neutral position) for a predetermined
time or a by a predetermined amount (a stress relaxing movement)
(the door ECU 40 serves as a stress relaxing portion). Then, the
door ECU 40 stops the driving of the first DC motor 11. In other
words, the door ECU 40 performs the stress relaxing movement when
the door ECU 40 determines an abnormal performance in the first
and/or second neutral position detecting switches 34 and/or 35 at
the time when the closing movement is completed. Accordingly,
excessive stress, applied on the latch mechanism 12, the close
movement mechanism 25 and the active lever 24 may be reduced.
Further, there is less possibility that the latch 13, which is
driven via the active lever 24 and the like, is mechanically
constrained in a state where the first striker 4 is excessively
dragged into the latch 13. When the stress relaxing movement is
completed, the slide door 2 is switched to an opening movement
waiting state (a standby state).
On the other hand, in a case where the operational signal for
requesting the opening movement of the slide door 2 is outputted in
response to the operation of the open switch 42 after the
completion of the above-described returning from close range
movement or stress relaxing movement, the door ECU 40 normally
drives the first DC motor 11 so as to pivot the active lever 24,
thereby switching the latch mechanism 12 to the unlatched state
(see FIG. 4C). Consequently, the slide door 2 is released from
being held in the fully-closed state (a release movement). When the
active lever 24 is further pivoted in the counter-clockwise
direction in FIG. 4B from the second neutral position (see FIG.
4B), the signal, which is switched from OFF to ON, is detected by
the second neutral position detecting switch 35 (see FIG. 6). As
described above, the detection signal of the first neutral position
detecting switch 34 remains to be OFF.
Subsequently, when the door ECU 40 determines that the signal,
which is switched from OFF to ON, is detected by the full-latch
switch 32 (see FIG. 5), the door ECU 40 determines that the
switching of the latch mechanism 12 to the unlatched state (the
release movement) is completed. Further, in a case where the
signal, which is switched from OFF to ON, is not accidentally
detected by the full-latch switch 32, the door ECU 40 determines
that the switching of the latch mechanism 12 to the unlatched state
(the release movement) is completed on the basis of a determination
that a time being longer than a predetermined time has elapsed
after the start of the driving of the active lever 24. The
predetermined time is set so that the release movement is estimated
to be completed therewithin. More specifically, in a case where the
returning from close range movement is performed after the previous
close movement, the door ECU 40 determines the completion of the
release movement on the basis of a determination that a time, being
longer than a first predetermined time T1, has elapsed after the
start of the driving of the active lever 24. On the other hand, in
a case where the stress relaxing movement is performed after the
previous closing movement, the door ECU 40 determines the
completion of the release movement on the basis of a determination
that a time, being longer than a second predetermined time T2, has
elapsed after the start of the driving of the active lever 24. The
second predetermined time T2 is set to be longer than the first
predetermined time T1 because when the active lever 24 is at a
pivot position after the stress relaxing movement, a longer time
elapses after the start of the driving of the active lever 24 until
completing the release movement, compared to when the active lever
24 is at a pivot position after the returning from close range
movement (the neutral range). The door ECU 40 memorizes a movement,
performed after the close movement (the returning from close range
movement or the stress relaxing movement) in the memory 40a. The
movement, performed after the close movement and memorized in the
memory 40a, is reset when a power supply to the door ECU 40 is
stopped. Therefore, according to the embodiment, when a power is
re-supplied to the door ECU 40, the door ECU 40 determines the
completion of the release movement on the basis of the
determination that the time, being longer than the second
predetermined time T2, has elapsed after the start of the pivot of
the active lever 24.
When the ECU 40 determines the completion of the release movement,
the door ECU 40 drives the first DC motor 11 in the reverse
direction so as to pivot the active lever 24, thereby returning the
active lever 24 toward the neutral range (the second neutral
position shown in FIG. 4D) (a returning from release range
movement, a returning movement). When the active lever 24 is
further pivoted in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4D from the
second neutral position, and the signal, which is switched from ON
to OFF, is detected by the second neutral position detecting switch
35 (see FIG. 6), the door ECU 40 stops the driving of the first DC
motor 11. In a case of a detection failure where the signal, which
is switched from ON to OFF, is not detected as the detection signal
NPRsw by the second neutral position detecting switch 35, the door
ECU 40 stops the driving of the first DC motor 11 on the basis of
the determination that the first neutral position detecting switch
34 is switched from OFF to ON, or that a predetermined time TNPR,
within which the active lever 24 is estimated to reach the neutral
range, has elapsed.
According to the embodiment, the door ECU 40 counts the number of
times of abnormal performances of the first and second neutral
position detecting switches 34 and 35 (the number of times of the
detection failures where the detection of the first and second
neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35 is impossible) as an
abnormal count CN. In a case where the abnormal count CN reaches a
plural predetermined number of times CNth, even when the
operational signal for requesting the opening movement of the slide
door 2 is outputted from the open switch 42, the door ECU 40
forcibly stops the driving of the first DC motor 11 so as to stop
the pivot of the active lever 24 (the door ECU 40 serves as a
prohibiting portion). In other words, in a case where the abnormal
performance of the first and second neutral position detecting
switches 34 and 35 is only temporary, and the abnormal count CN is
less than the predetermined number of times CNth, when the
operational signal for requesting the opening movement of the slide
door 2 is outputted from the open switch 42, the door ECU 40 allows
to drive the first DC motor 11 so as to pivot the active lever 24
(the door ECU 40 serves as a cancelling portion).
A manner of counting the abnormal count CN by means of the door ECU
40 will be described hereinafter. The door ECU 40 calculates a sum
of a value of a close-side abnormal count CNPC and a value of
release-side abnormal count CNPR, thereby calculating the abnormal
count CN.
As described above, the door ECU 40 determines that the active
lever 24 is in the close range on the basis of the determination
that the detection signal NPCsw of the first neutral position
detecting switch 34 is ON and that the detection signal NPRsw of
the second neutral position detecting switch 35 is OFF. Therefore,
the door ECU 40 increases the closing-side abnormal count CNPC when
the detection signal NPCsw of the first neutral position detecting
switch 34 is not ON and when the detection signal NPRsw of the
second neutral position detecting switch 35 is not OFF after the
completion of the close movement. Subsequently, as described above,
the stress relaxing movement is performed after the completion of
the close movement.
Further, as described above, when the signal NPCsw, which is
switched from ON to OFF, is detected by the first neutral position
detecting switch 34, the door ECU 40 ends the returning from close
range movement. Therefore, the door ECU 40 increases the close-side
abnormal count CNPC also when the returning from close range
movement has not ended on the basis of the detection signal NPCsw.
Furthermore, the door ECU 40 clears the close-side abnormal count
CNPC when the returning from close range movement has ended on the
basis of the detection signal NPCsw.
On the other hand, as described above, when the signal NPRsw, which
is switched from ON to OFF, is detected by the second neutral
position detecting switch 35, the door ECU 40 ends the returning
from release range movement. Therefore, the door ECU 40 increases
the release-side abnormal count CNPR also when the returning from
release range movement has not ended on the basis of the detection
signal NPRsw. Furthermore, the door ECU 40 clears the release-side
abnormal count CNPC when the returning from release range movement
has ended on the basis of the detection signal NPRsw.
The door ECU 40 adds the value of the close-side abnormal count
CNPC to the value of the release-side abnormal count CNPR, each of
which is counted in the above-described manner, thereby calculating
the abnormal count CN. When a value of the abnormal count CN, which
is calculated in such a manner, reaches the predetermined number of
times CNth, the door ECU 40 determines that the performance of the
first and second neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35 is
abnormal. In such a case, even when the operational signal for
requesting the opening movement of the slide door 2 is outputted
from the open switch 42 after the completion of the stress relaxing
movement, as described above, the door ECU 40 does not follow the
request.
In the closing movement of the slide door 2, the movement of the
full-opening lock 7, which is interlocked with the door lock device
10, (the close movement and the release movement) may be described
similarly in such a way that the slide door 2 is held at the
fully-opened state after the close movement, and that the closing
movement of the slide door 2 becomes possible after the release
movement. In this case, the operational signal for requesting the
opening movement of the slide door 2 is outputted in response to
the operation of the close switch 41.
A movement of the apparatus for controlling the opening-and-closing
member for the vehicle according to the embodiment will be
described hereinafter with reference to the flowcharts shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a manner of processing with
regard to a manner of determining the abnormal performance of the
first and second neutral position switches 34 and 35. FIG. 10
illustrates a controlling manner of the drive of the door lock
device 10, beginning from the start of the close movement.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the routine shown in FIG. 9 is
started during the process, whether or not the release movement is
completed is determined on the basis of the determination that the
signal, which is switched from OFF to ON, is detected by the
full-latch switch 32 or that the time, being longer than the
predetermined time (the first or second predetermined time T1 or
T2), has elapsed after the start of the pivot of the active lever
24 (S1). Then, when the completion of the release movement is
determined on the basis of the above-mentioned condition, the
process shifts to the returning from release range movement, and
the returning from release range movement starts to be performed
until completion (S2).
Subsequently, whether or not the returning from release range
movement is normally completed is determined on the basis of the
detection signal NPRsw where the switching of the signal from ON to
OFF is detected (S3). When the completion of the returning from
release range movement is determined on the basis of the
above-mentioned condition, the performance of the second neutral
position detecting switch 35 is determined to be normal, and the
release-side abnormal count CNPR is cleared (S4). On the other
hand, when the completion of the returning from release range
movement is not determined on the basis of the above-mentioned
condition, the performance of the second neutral position detecting
switch 35 is determined to be abnormal, and the release-side
abnormal count CNPR is increased by one (S4).
On the other hand, in a case where the release movement is
determined not to be completed on the basis of the above-mentioned
condition in S1, it is determined whether or not the detection
signal NPCsw is ON and whether or not the detection signal NPRsw is
OFF at the time of the completion of the close movement. In other
words, whether or not the active lever 24 is in the close range is
determined (S6). When the active lever 24 is determined to be in
the close range after the completion of the close movement, the
process shifts to the returning from close range movement, and the
returning from close range movement starts to be performed until
completion (S7).
Subsequently, whether or not the returning from close range
movement is normally completed is determined on the basis of the
detection signal NPCsw, where the switching of the signal from ON
to OFF is detected (S8). When the completion of the returning from
close range movement is determined on the basis of the
above-mentioned condition, the performance of the first neutral
position detecting switch 34 is determined to be normal, and the
close-side abnormal count CNPC is cleared (S9). On the other hand,
when the completion of the returning from close range movement is
not determined on the basis of the above-mentioned condition, the
performance of the first neutral position detecting switch 34 is
determined to be abnormal, and the close-side abnormal count CNPC
is increased by one (S10).
Further, when the active lever 24 is not determined to be in the
close range at the time of completion of the close movement in S6,
the first neutral position detecting switch 34 is determined to be
abnormal. Then, the process shifts to the stress relaxing movement,
and the stress relaxing movement starts to be performed until
completion (S11). Then, the close-side abnormal count is increased
by one (S12).
After the close-side abnormal count CNPC and the release-side
abnormal count CNPR are updated in any one of S4, S5, S9, S10 and
S12, it is determined whether or not a current sum of the value of
the close-side abnormal count CNPC and the value of the
release-side abnormal count CNPR (=CNPC+CNPR) (i.e., the abnormal
count CN) is equal to or larger than the predetermined number of
times CNth (S13). When the abnormal count CN is equal to or larger
than the predetermined number of times CNth, the performance of the
first or second neutral position detecting switch 34 or 35 is
determined to be abnormal (S14). When the abnormal count CN is less
than the predetermined number of times CNth, the performance of the
first or second neutral position detecting switch 34 or 35 is
determined to be normal, and the following movement continues to be
allowed (S15).
A controlling manner of the drive of the door lock device 10 in
response to the above-described determination of the abnormal
performance and the like of the first or second neutral position
detecting switch 34 or 35 will be described hereinafter. As
illustrated in FIG. 10, when the routine shown in FIG. 10 is
started during the process, the close movement is started and the
slide door 2 starts to be pulled by means of the latch mechanism 12
(the latch 13) (S21), until completion of the pulling of the slide
door 2 by means of the latch mechanism 12 (S22). Subsequently, it
is determined whether or not the detection signal NPCsw is ON and
whether or not the detection signal NPRsw is OFF at the time of the
completion of the close movement. In other words, whether or not
the active lever 24 is in the close range is determined (S23,
corresponding to S6). When the active lever 24 is determined to be
in the close range after the completion of the close movement, the
process shifts to the returning from close range movement, and the
returning from close range movement starts to be performed until
completion (S24, corresponding to S7).
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the request for the
opening movement of the slide door 2 is outputted in response to
the operation of the open switch 42 (S25). An ECU flag F remains to
be in a current state until it is determined that the request for
the opening movement is outputted. The ECU flag F is set to be OFF
when a normal timer (the first predetermined time T1) is used in
the release movement, while being set to be ON when a longer timer
(the second predetermined time T2) is used in the release movement.
The door ECU 40 memorizes the movement (the returning from close
range movement or the stress relaxing movement), which is performed
after the completion of the close movement, as the ECU flag F in
the memory 40a. Then, when it is determined that the request for
the opening movement of the slide door 2 is outputted in response
to the operation of the open switch 42 (S25), the release movement
starts to be performed until completion (S27). At that time, the
ECU flag F is OFF. Therefore, a usage of the first predetermined
time T1 is determined after the completion of the release movement
is determined. Subsequently, as described above, the returning from
release range movement starts to be performed until completion
after the completion of the release movement, and then the door
driving unit 50 is controlled to be driven so as to perform the
opening movement of the slide door 2.
On the other hand, in a case where the active lever 24 is not
determined to be in the close range at the time of completion of
the close movement, the process shifts to the stress relaxing
movement, and the stress relaxing movement starts to be performed
until completion (S28, corresponding to S11). Then, it is
determined whether or not the performance of the first or second
neutral position detecting switch 34 or 35 is abnormal (S29,
corresponding to S14). When the performance of the first or second
neutral position detecting switch 34 or 35 is determined not to be
abnormal, the ECU flag F is set to be ON (S31). Further, when the
power is re-supplied to the door ECU 40 and the data in the memory
40a is reset (S30), the ECU flag F is set to be ON.
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the request for the
opening movement of the slide door 2 is outputted in response to
the operation of the open switch 42 (S32). The ECU flag F remains
to be in a current state until it is determined that the request
for the opening movement is outputted (S33). Then, when it is
determined that the request for the opening movement of the slide
door 2 is outputted in response to the operation of the open switch
42, the release movement starts to be performed until completion
(S34). At that time, the ECU flag F is ON. Therefore, a usage of
the second predetermined time T2 is determined after the completion
of the release movement is determined. Subsequently, after the
completion of the release movement, the returning from release
range movement and the like is performed similarly to S27. Then,
the ECU flag F is reset (S35).
Further, when it is determined that the performance of the first or
second neutral position detecting switch 34 or 35 is abnormal in
S29, a driving prohibiting process for prohibiting the driving of
the active lever 24 is performed (S36), and even when the
operational signal for requesting the opening movement of the slide
door 2 is outputted from the open switch 42, the door ECU 40 does
not follow the request, and the active lever 24 becomes forcibly
stopped state.
According to the embodiment, the following effects may be
obtained.
According to the embodiment, in a case where the abnormal count CN
is less than the predetermined number of times CNth, the release
movement and the like is allowed even after the stress relaxing
movement, and thus the forcible stop is canceled. In such a case,
when the slide door 2 is held in the fully-closed state (or the
half-closed state) by means of the latch mechanism 12, the release
movement is allowed in response to the detecting of the signal for
requesting the movement (the opening movement) of the slide door 2,
thereby allowing the opening movement of the slide door 2.
Accordingly, even when it is not detected that the active lever 24
is in the first and second neutral positions, the opening movement
of the slide door 2 may be continued under a predetermined
condition. As a result, the opening operation of the slide door 2
may become more convenient. On the other hand, in a case where the
abnormal count CN is equal to or more than the predetermined number
of times CNth, further movement is forcibly stopped after the
stress relaxing movement. Therefore, it may be possible to restrict
a significant deterioration of the accuracy of the movement of the
latch mechanism 12 due to an accumulation of a positional error of
the active lever 24.
Similarly, when the slide door 2 is held in the fully-opened state
by means of the latch mechanism of the full-opening lock 7, the
closing operation of the slide door 2 may become more
convenient.
According to the embodiment, in a case where the latch mechanism 12
is not accidentally detected to be in the unlatched state after the
active lever 24, which has been in the neutral position (the first
neutral position), is driven in response to the signal for
requesting the movement (the opening movement) of the slide door 2,
the release movement is completed on the basis of the elapsing of
the first predetermined time T1 after the start of the driving of
the active lever 24. Further, in a case where the latch mechanism
12 is not accidentally detected to be in the unlatched state after
the active lever 24, which has been in the pivot position after the
stress relaxing movement, is driven in response to the signal for
requesting the movement (the opening movement) of the slide door 2,
the release movement is completed on the basis of the elapsing of
the second predetermined time T2 after the start of the driving of
the active lever 24. Accordingly, in a state where the slide door 2
is held in the fully-closed state or in the half-closed state, the
slide door 2 may be more surely moved (the opening movement may be
more surely performed).
Similarly, when the slide door 2 is held in the fully-opened state
by means of the latch mechanism of the full-opening lock 7, the
slide door 2 may be more surely moved (the closing movement may be
more surely performed).
According to the embodiment, when the power is re-supplied to the
door ECU 40, the memory 40a is reset. Therefore, a current position
of the active lever 24 becomes unknown. However, when the power is
re-supplied to the door ECU 40, or when the latch mechanism 12 is
not accidentally detected to be in the unlatched state after the
active lever 24 is driven in response to the signal for requesting
the movement (the opening movement) of the slide door 2, the
release movement is completed on the basis of the elapsing of the
second predetermined time T2 after the start of the driving of the
active lever 24. Accordingly, in a state where the slide door 2 is
held in the fully-closed state or in the half-closed state, even
when the active lever 24 is in the pivot position after the stress
relaxing movement, the slide door 2 may be more surely moved (the
opening movement may be more surely performed).
Similarly, when the slide door 2 is held in the fully-opened state
by means of the latch mechanism of the full-opening lock 7, the
slide door 2 may be more surely moved (the closing movement may be
more surely performed).
According to the embodiment, the neutral position (the first and
the second neutral positions) of the active lever 24 is detected by
means of the first and second neutral position detecting switches
34 and 35. Therefore, even when one of the first and second neutral
position detecting switches 34 and 35 malfunctions, the active
lever 24 may be maintained to be in the neutral position (the
neutral range). Accordingly, an interference between the latch
mechanism 12 and the active lever 24 and the like may be
restricted.
According to the embodiment, even when the abnormal performance of
the first and second neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35
is temporarily determined, as long as the abnormal count CN remains
to be less than the predetermined number of times CNth, the
determination of the abnormal performance is canceled in response
to a subsequent determination of the normal performance. Therefore,
unnecessary determination of the abnormal performance of the first
and second neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35 (i.e., the
forcible stopping) may be restricted.
According to the embodiment, when the opening and closing movement
of the slide door 2 is performed after the stress relaxing
movement, a mechanical interference may be restricted. On the other
hand, when the opening and closing movement of the slide door 2 is
performed after the returning from close range movement, the active
lever 24 is pivoted from the neutral position. Therefore, the
opening and closing movement of the slide door 2 may be surely
performed.
The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows.
According to the embodiment, the abnormal performance of the first
and second neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35 is not
determined when the abnormal count CN is less than the
predetermined number of times CNth. While the abnormal count CN is
being increased, a warning may be outputted from a warning means
(for example, a warning light) so as to warn the user.
According to the embodiment, the abnormal performance of the first
and second neutral position detecting switches 34 and 35 is
determined when the abnormal count CN becomes equal to or larger
than the predetermined number of times CNth. Alternatively, the
abnormal performance of the first and second neutral position
detecting switches 34 and 35 may be determined when one of the
close-side abnormal count CNPC and the release-side abnormal count
CNPR becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined plural
number of times.
Only one neutral position may be set, and only one neutral position
detecting switch may be provided to detect the neutral position. In
such a case, the abnormal performance of the neutral position
detecting switch may be determined and the movement of the active
lever 24 may be forcibly stopped on the basis of the number of
times of continuous failures in detecting the neutral position or
the number of times of failures in detecting the neutral position
within a predetermined time.
According to the embodiment, both of a full-closing-side door lock
and a full-opening-side door lock (i.e., the door lock device 10
and the full-opening lock 7) performs the close movement. However,
only one of the full-closing-side door lock and the
full-opening-side door lock may perform the close movement.
Generally, only the full-closing-side door lock may perform the
close movement.
In a case where only one of the full-closing-side door lock and the
full-opening-side door lock performs the close movement, the
above-described embodiment may be applied to of the door locks for
both of the opening and closing movement control of the slide door
2. In other words, in a case where only the full-closing-side door
lock device 10 performs the close movement, the latch mechanism of
the full-opening lock 7 may be engaged with the vehicle body 1 (the
rear end portion of the opening portion 1a), using impetus of the
opening movement of the slide door 2, thereby the full-opening lock
7 may be switched to the fully-latched state. Consequently, the
slide door 2 is held by means of the full-opening lock 7 in the
fully-opened state. Further, similarly to the above-described
embodiment, the latch mechanism of the full-opening lock 7 is
released from the fully-latched state by means of the
releasing-movement of the active lever 24, which is interlocked
with the door lock device 10. The latch mechanism 12 (the pawl 14)
of the door lock device 10 is mechanically connected to the outside
grip 3. Therefore, the latch mechanism 12 may be manually
releasable.
In a state where the active lever 24 is being stopped after the
stress relaxing movement is performed subsequently to the closing
movement of the slide door 2, and then, the latch mechanism 12 of
the door lock device 10 is released so as to perform the opening
movement of the slide door 2 (so as to operate the slide door 2 to
be opened), the slide door 2 is held in the fully-opened state by
means of the full-opening lock 7 (the latch mechanism thereof). At
that time, a position of the active lever 24 is not changed.
Therefore, the active lever 24 remains to be stopped at the
position after the stress relaxing movement. Subsequently, when the
request for the closing movement of the slide door 2 is detected in
response to the operation of the close switch 41, the active lever
24 is driven so as to perform the release movement. Consequently,
the full-opening lock 7 is released. Thus, in a case where only the
full-closing-side door lock device 10 performs the close movement,
the embodiment may be applied to the door lock device 10, which is
interlocked with the full-opening lock 7, not only for the opening
movement control but for the closing movement control.
A swing door, a back door, a trunk lid and the like may serve as
the opening-and-closing member. Further, a driving mechanism for
mechanically interlocking the opening-and-closing member and a
motor may be selectively applied. For example, a link mechanism, a
cam mechanism, a gear mechanism, a cable transmitting mechanism (a
rope, or a belt), a screw mechanism and the like, or a combination
thereof, may be applied.
According to the embodiment, the predetermined number of times CNth
is set as a maximum allowable number of times of continuous
detection failures where the first and second neutral position
detecting switches 34 and 35 do not detect that the active lever 24
is in the neutral position, or as a maximum allowable accumulated
number of times of detection failures within a predetermined time
where the first and second neutral position detecting switches 34
and 35 do not detect that the active lever 24 is in the neutral
position.
Accordingly, in a case where a number of times of the detection
failures where it is impossible to detect that the active lever 24
is in the neutral position, is less than the predetermined number
of times CNth, the prohibition of the driving of the active lever
24 by means of the prohibiting portion after the reverse driving
(the stress relaxing movement) by means of the stress relaxing
portion is canceled by means of the canceling portion. In such a
case, when the slide door 2 is held in the fully-closed state by
means of the latch mechanism 12, the release movement is allowed in
response to the detecting of the signal for requesting the movement
(the opening movement) of the slide door 2. Therefore, the slide
door 2 is allowed to be opened. Accordingly, even when there is a
detection failure, the movement (the opening movement) of the slide
door 2 may be continued under a predetermined condition. As a
result, the operation (the opening operation) of the slide door 2
may become more convenient. On the other hand, in a case where a
number of times of the detection failures become equal to or larger
than the predetermined number of times CNth, the driving of the
active lever 24 is prohibited by means of the prohibiting portion.
Therefore, it may be possible to restrict a significant
deterioration of the accuracy of the movement of the latch
mechanism 12 due to an accumulation of a positional error of the
active lever 24.
According to the embodiment, the apparatus for controlling the
opening-and-closing member 2 for the vehicle further includes: the
half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch switch 32 for detecting the
unlatched state where the latch mechanism 12 releases the holding
of the slide door 2. In a case where the active lever 24 is in the
neutral position, the door ECU 40 completes the release movement
when the half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch switch 32 detect
that the latch mechanism 12 is in the unlatched state after the
active lever 24 is driven in response to the detection of the
request for the movement of the slide door 2, or when a time, being
longer than a first predetermined time T1, within which the release
movement is estimated to be completed, has elapsed after the
driving of the active lever 24 has started. In a state where the
active lever 24 is in a position after the driving of the active
lever 24 in the reverse direction by means of the stress relaxing
portion 40, the door ECU 40 completes the release movement when the
half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch switch 32 detect that the
latch mechanism 12 is in the unlatched state after the active lever
24 is driven in response to the detection of the request for the
movement of the slide door 2, or when a time, being longer than a
second predetermined time T2, which is set to be longer than the
first predetermined time T1, has elapsed after the driving of the
active lever 24 has started.
Accordingly, the door ECU 40 completes the release movement when it
is detected that the latch mechanism 12 is in the unlatched state
by means of the half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch switch 32
after the active lever 24 is driven in response to the detection of
the signal for requesting the movement of the slide door 2. On the
other hand, in a case where the latch mechanism 12 is not detected
to be in the unlatched state after the active lever 24, which has
been in the neutral position, is driven in response to the signal
for requesting the movement of the slide door 2, the door ECU 40
completes the release movement on the basis of the elapsing of the
first predetermined time T1 after the start of the driving of the
slide door 2. Further, in a case where the latch mechanism 12 is
not detected to be in the unlatched state after the active lever
24, which has been in the pivot position after the reverse driving
by means of the stress relaxing portion, is driven in response to
the signal for requesting the movement of the slide door 2, the
controlling portion completes the release movement on the basis of
the elapsing of the second predetermined time T2, which is set to
be longer than the first predetermined time T1, after the start of
the driving of the active lever 24. Normally, in a case where the
active lever 24 is in the pivot position after the reverse driving
by means of the stress relaxing portion, the time elapsing after
the active lever 24 starts to be driven until the completion of the
release movement is longer, compared to a case where the active
lever 24 is in the neutral position. In a case where the active
lever 24 is in the pivot position after the reverse driving by
means of the stress relaxing portion, the controlling portion does
not complete the release movement until the second predetermined
time T2 elapses after the active lever 24 starts to be driven. As a
result, the slide door 2 becomes movable more surely.
According to the embodiment, the door ECU 40 includes a memory 40a
for memorizing whether the active lever 24 is in the neutral
position or in the position after the driving of the active lever
24 in the reverse direction by means of the stress relaxing portion
40, the memory 40a being reset when a power supply to the door ECU
40 is stopped. In a case where the power is re-supplied to the door
ECU 40, the door ECU 40 completes the release movement when the
half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch switch 32 detect that the
latch mechanism 2 is in the unlatched state in response to the
detection of the request for the movement of the slide door 2, or
when a time, being longer than a second predetermined time T2, has
elapsed after the driving of the active lever 24 has started.
Accordingly, when the power is re-supplied to the controlling
portion, the position of the active lever 24 (the neutral position
or the position after the revere driving by means of the stress
relaxing portion 40), memorized in the memory 40a is reset.
Therefore, a current position of the active lever 24 becomes
unknown when the power is re-supplied to the controlling portion.
However, when the power is re-supplied to the door ECU 40, the door
ECU 40 does not complete the release movement until the second
predetermined time T2 elapses after the start of the driving of the
active lever 24. Accordingly, even when the active lever 24 is in
the pivot position after the stress relaxing movement by means of
the stress relaxing portion, the slide door 2 may be more surely
moved.
According to the embodiment, the apparatus for controlling the
opening-and-closing member 2 for the vehicle further includes the
half-latch switch 31 and the full-latch switch 32 for detecting a
state of the latch mechanism 12, the close witch 41 and the open
switch 42 for detecting the request for the opening movement or the
closing movement of the slide door 2. The latch mechanism 12 is
configured to be switched to the fully-latched state for holding
slide door 2, the half-latched state for half-holding the slide
door 2, and the unlatched state for releasing the slide door 2.
When the active lever 24 is switched from unlatched state to the
half-latched state according to the closing movement or the opening
movement of the slide door 2, the door ECU 40 executes the driving
of the first DC motor 11 so as to drive the active lever 24 in one
direction from the neutral position in order to switch the latch
mechanism 12 from the half-latched state to the fully-latched
state. When the request for the opening movement or the closing
movement of the slide door 2 is detected, the door ECU 40 executes
the driving of the first DC motor 11 so as to drive the active
lever 24 in the other direction from the neutral position in order
to switch the latch mechanism 12 from the fully-latched state or
the half-latched state to the unlatched state. After the active
lever 24 is switched to the fully-latched state or the unlatched
state the door ECU 40 executes the driving of the first DC motor 11
so as to return the active lever 24 to the neutral position. In a
case of a detection failure where the first and second neutral
position detecting switches 34 and 35 do not detect that the active
lever 24 is in the neutral position, the stress relaxing portion 40
executes a stress relaxing movement for the latch mechanism 12 and
the active lever 24, in which the first DC motor 11 is driven in
the reverse direction so as to pivot the active lever 24 toward the
neutral position for a predetermined time or by a predetermined
amount after the latch mechanism 12 is switched from half-latched
state to the fully-latched state. After the stress relaxing
movement by means of the stress relaxing portion 40, the
prohibiting portion 40 prohibiting the driving of the first DC
motor 11 in response to the detection of the request for the
movement of the slide door 2. In a case where the number of times
of the detection failures is less than the predetermined plural
number of times, the cancelling portion 40 cancelling the
prohibition of the driving of the first DC motor 11 by means of the
prohibiting portion 40 and switching the latch mechanism 12 from
fully-latched state or the half-latched state to the unlatched
state.
The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the
present invention have been described in the foregoing
specification. However, the invention which is intended to be
protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents
employed, without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be
embraced thereby.
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